Metro
Nigeria, Egypt to Sign MOU on Arts and Crafts Development
Nigeria and the Republic of Egypt have agreed to deepen their bilateral cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on ways of developing their Arts and Crafts sector.
This is one of the decisions reached when the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe received in audience a delegation from the Republic of Egypt led by His Excellency, Ambassador Ihab Ahmed in his office.
The Ambassador remarked that he has been following the activities of Otunba Runsewe who has positively projected the image of Nigeria home and abroad within the Culture and Tourism space adding that Otunba is assiduously working to transform Nigeria’s rich and diverse Cultural heritage into a viable economy.
The Envoy who stated that there was a lot of similarities between both countries in the area of arts and culture added that the Republic of Egypt was exploring ways of strongly collaborating with Nigeria through the NCAC to create a platform to showcase both country’s rich cultural heritage.
He further revealed that the Egyptian embassy is working on an action plan which will enable Otunba Runsewe and his management team visit the Republic of Egypt to see the enormous opportunities in the arts and culture sector which will culminate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for its development.
The head of the Egyptian delegation solicited the assistance of NCAC to create a window where arts and crafts products in the Egyptian can be exhibited in Nigeria as plans have reached an advanced stage for both countries to synergize in that regard.
The Ambassador then assured of the the full participation of his Embassy at this year’s International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo coming up in August the year.
In his speech, the Director General, Otunba Runsewe, who thanked the delegation for the visit expressed joy that the diplomatic relationship between both countries have witnessed robust growth over the years.
According to Runsewe, Nigeria and Egypt share a deep cultural history which has advanced the socio economic development of both countries given their commitment to ECOWAS treaties and IMF leaving both countries with similar and stronger values.
Runsewe, who is also the President of the World Crafts Council, African Region reiterated the need for Nigeria and the Republic of Egypt to work towards harnessing their rich tourism potentials. He then revealed his plans to launch the NIGERIA- EGYPT FRIENDSHIP CLUB during his visit to the ancient city of Egypt to foster growth and deepen diplomatic ties between the countries.
Runsewe used the occasion to invite the Ambassador to the annual Pre-INAC dinner for the diplomatic community coming up in May this year and expressed his readiness to provide a World class Media platform during the 2022 International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo where all participating countries will have equal opportunity to showcase, network and market their rich cultural strengths to the world.
There was exchange of cultural souvenirs between the Director General and the Egyptian delegation.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has inspected seven Modified Light Tactical Vehicles procured for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to enhance and strengthen their operations in securing life and property in the country, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
Gaidam performed the function in company of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anuma Ogbonaya Nlia, and top Management of the Ministry at the Federal Secretariat, Phase III, in Abuja.
The Minister stated that the seven Modified Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles were acquired from the budgetary allocation of the Ministry, and they would be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to enhance their security operations to enable them to perform better. “They are supposed to use it professionally to combat insecurity in the country,” he stressed.
A stray bullet has allegedly killed a student who was heading to the examination centre to sit for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination being organised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The incident happened on Gbagi market road in the Egbeda Local Government Area of the state when a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer in pursuit of a suspect hit and allegedly killed the student on Tuesday.
Investigations revealed that the boy was on a motorcycle with his father and twin brother when the incident struck.
The student, according to multiple eyewitnesses, was on his way to the examination centre.
One of the sources, simply identified as Ajani, said, “A police officer opened fire while chasing a fleeing vehicle. One of the bullets reportedly hit the student. The student was riding on a motorcycle with his father and twin brother.
“The victim was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Another witness said, “The deceased was on his way to the examination centre alongside his twin brother when the tragedy happened.”
Meanwhile, irate youths took the student’s lifeless body to the state Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, to demand justice and called on Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene.
The deceased body has been deposited at Adeoyo Hospital morgue.
As of press time, authorities have not released an official statement on the incident.
The Punch
The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have condemned the recent distribution formula for the N50 billion earned allowance approved by the Federal government for university-based unions.
The unions expressed their displeasure in the sharing formula in a jointly signed statement by the President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi on Sunday in Abuja.
The Federal government last month approved the release of N50billion to universities as earned allowances.
The N50billion is to be shared between the Academic Staff Union of Universities; NASU, SSANU and National Association of Academic Technologists.
The statement said: “We wish to make it clear that this is not a contest of supremacy among unions. Rather, it is about fairness, recognition, and the equitable treatment of all workers who form the backbone of the Nigerian University system.”
The unions further demanded a review and reversal of the allocation formula, which they describe as “grossly unfair” and “totally unacceptable.”
The unions argued that the distribution was capable of creating industrial disharmony and accentuating the teaching/non-teaching dichotomy in Nigerian universities.
They vowed to stand united in demanding justice, fairness, and recognition of their rightful place in the university community.
They warned that going ahead with the unfair distribution will breed resentment and trigger widespread industrial disharmony.
“Non-Teaching staff of Nigerian Universities are not second-class citizens but are critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day functionality, administrative efficiency, research excellence, technical operations, and overall development of the Nigerian Universities system.
“A harmonious and productive academic environment can only be achieved when all stakeholders are treated with respect, dignity, equity, and fairness,” the statement added.
